A BURY man was killed when a high powered car ploughed into a van on a country road.

The 20-year-old, from Affetside, was a passenger in a £25,000 Renault sports car which swerved off the road and mounted the kerb before crossing the carriageway into oncoming cars.

The car was then involved in a head-on crash with a van travelling along Bradshaw Road, Bradshaw, near Bolton.

The man, who has not been identified, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital after Thursday's accident but was found to be dead on arrival.

The driver of the van, a 38-year-old man from Haslingden, is fighting for his life in the Royal Preston Hospital. He was airlifted to the hospital in the Greater Manchester Police helicopter.

The 22-year-old driver, from Leigh, of the silver-coloured Renault Clio with a three litre engine -- believed to be one of only 200 in the country -- escaped with minor head injuries. He was recovering in the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The accident happened shortly before 8am. The van was knocked off the road and rolled 20ft down an embankment. The Renault crashed into trees at the side of the road.

All three casualties were trapped in the wreckage of the vehicles.

Witnesses used their mobile phones to raise the alarm.

The road was sealed off as police, fire crews and ambulance paramedics treated the injured.

Police are appealing for witnesses and want to speak to anyone who may have seen the car being driven along Bradshaw Road in the minutes leading up to the accident.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Bolton Police traffic unit, tel: 0161 856 5972.